Winter: A Time of Reverence: 1

The World is such a Busy Place. We Can Lose Things that are Important. Winter is a Time of Endurance and Remembrance

People who love outdoor winter activities see winter as exhilarating. But for many of us, unless you live in Florida or southern California, it’s more a time of pondering, thinking, and planning for the rest of the year. After all, January is the month of New Year’s Resolutions. Then come spring, summer, and fall, which seem to have more promise than winter.

According to some experts, winter begins on December 21. Spring begins on March 21. Summer begins on June 21. Fall or Autumn begins on September 21.

Winter is a Time of Endurance

Jesus says, “Do this in remembrance of me.” He said it in taking communion — eating the bread and drinking the wine. But it can be applied broader.

The Bible speaks of a time of endurance. This is how I view winter. This can be a negative term, like just ‘coping’ with life.

But I see it as more positive and productive. I’ve stopped making New Year’s Resolutions, but it can include this. We all make choices. I hope to influence you with a positive choice. It’s not a boring time, but a time of developing stability and reliability. Paul often calls it ‘continuing…’

It’s a time of being more dependable in things that matter to us — a time of strengthening our roots. To me, this includes reverence in things of God. The Bible speaks of HOPE being an ‘anchor of the soul.’

Winter is a Time of ‘Hanging in There’

Paul speaks of ‘being ready in season and out of season.’ This means winter. He says don’t lose heart: in due season we will reap if we persist. Of course, we’ve all heard, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

I see it as a time of hanging out with God more. It’s amazing the revelation that comes when we do this. Three times Hebrews says, “Today if you WILL hear his voice…”

Of course, God doesn’t speak words to our ears. But he does speak to our heart if we will listen. He’s always available, and he is spiritually ‘audible.’

God’s Language is His Gospel Truth and Reality

God’s perspective is so much greater than ours. All seasons aren’t the same. Winter is a time to let God’s truth settle in.

— “As Jesus is, so are we in this world.” It’s an almost unbelievable thought. — Paul says to meditate and give ourselves to believe what is written. — He says to ‘take heed to ourselves — and to the doctrine’ (the gospel). — Jesus says he calls us ‘friends.’ Winter is a time to experience friendship.

The Bible says everything it says is imputed to us today. It’s not history. It’s not past. The gospel is fresh, everyday truth and reality from the heart of God. It was written in the halls of heaven, but it applies to our earthly lives now.

‘Righteousness’ is a dominant word. We lawyers would say it is ‘right standing with God.’ It produces peace with God where we know he’s not angry with us for things we do wrong.

We will never understand our imparted righteousness as a gift from God, without us living and doing everything right — until we first see that Jesus was made sin without doing anything wrong. It’s the reality of God.

Grasping our gift of righteousness causes our faith to grow in huge ways. And knowing God’s love for us causes our faith to grow many times more. Winter is a time to realize his love and grace, and to plant our faith deeper.